I am installing a pioneer 12k mini split and plan to install several more mini splits in the future. The house was built in 1981 with 240v baseboard electric heat and has 200a service. Climate zone 7 in steamboat springs, CO where I saw temps of -37f last winter!
My panel (pictured below) is full but has several lightly used (many of the baseboard heaters removed) double pole/240 circuits. Many of the baseboard heaters have been removed but not all and they are a good backup especially when temps are below -13f (minimum for pioneer mini split).
I am trying to determine best approach for wiring. I tried consulting with an electrician who insists that a fused disconnect is needed and wants $850 to install one. I know a fused disconnect is not needed/required and its very hard to find competent and fairly priced contractors here.
My idea is to replace a lightly used 240 breaker with a quad breaker (2 240v circuits). Use one breaker for the existing circuit and the new circuit going to an outdoor mini panel where I can have one breaker per mini split with appropriate sized breakers for each mini split. The pioneer 12k says 12a min/15a max on its nameplate.
Does that sound like a good plan or is there a better way to do this?
example of a quad breaker:
My panel (pictured below) is full but has several lightly used (many of the baseboard heaters removed) double pole/240 circuits. Many of the baseboard heaters have been removed but not all and they are a good backup especially when temps are below -13f (minimum for pioneer mini split).
I am trying to determine best approach for wiring. I tried consulting with an electrician who insists that a fused disconnect is needed and wants $850 to install one. I know a fused disconnect is not needed/required and its very hard to find competent and fairly priced contractors here.
My idea is to replace a lightly used 240 breaker with a quad breaker (2 240v circuits). Use one breaker for the existing circuit and the new circuit going to an outdoor mini panel where I can have one breaker per mini split with appropriate sized breakers for each mini split. The pioneer 12k says 12a min/15a max on its nameplate.
Does that sound like a good plan or is there a better way to do this?
example of a quad breaker:
Eaton BR 2-50 Amp 2-Pole BQ (Independent Trip) Quad Circuit Breaker BQ250250 - The Home Depot
Eaton's, type BR, BQ and BQC Quadplex circuit breakers protect the wires in your home from overheating (referred to as an overload) and fault currents (referred to as short circuits). These breakers are
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